Impressive 'Well thump Ross County

Motherwell players congratulate Richard Tait after the right back's fine goal against Ross County on Saturday (Pic by Alan Watson)

‘Well hit the front after just eight minutes when Scott McDonald headed in Lionel Ainsworth’s free-kick from close range.

McDonald then shot just wide on 19 minutes after a Louis Moult set-up following Chris Cadden’s strong run down the right.

The Steelmen were well on top and Moult soon stabbed the ball just wide from an Ainsworth corner.

But it was 2-0 on the half hour when Moult’s cross from the left was turned into his own net by County defender Kenny Van Der Weg.

But Van Der Weg almost made amends at the other end when heading wide after a corner.

And Ian McShane shot inches wide as the visitors came more into it.

Van Der Weg’s day got even worse when he was booked for a foul on Cadden, before County’s Andrew Davies headed off target after a corner.

The last chance of the first half saw Motherwell defender Ben Heneghan make a great block from Michael Gardyne’s shot.

And it was 3-0 Motherwell after 51 minutes, right back Richard Tait netting his first for the club when a strong run down the right was followed by a powerful shot which keeper Scott Fox will be disappointed he didn’t keep out.

Ainsworth then rattled the County bar with a great free-kick but the returning winger – who produced a scintillating man of the match display – did net on 63 minutes when he dribbled the ball round Fox and tapped into the empty goal after a brilliant McDonald flick.

And it was almost 5-0 when Cadden’s surging run and cross resulted in Ainsworth flicking just wide.

’Well’s dominance seemed incredible to home followers, given how poorly their favourites had played in a resounding 3-0 home defeat by Inverness Caley Thistle just three days earlier.

County sub Alex Schalk’s left footed effort was then turned round the post by ‘Well keeper Craig Samson, before Ainsworth produced another fabulous run which ended with his shot being deflected wide by Paul Quinn.

Schalk pulled one back for the visitors when he rifled the ball into the bottom left corner from the edge of the box.

Motherwell’s Lee Lucas – in for Keith Lasley who was absent with a toe injury – then produced a fine run but his 84th minute shot was tipped over the bar.

But Motherwell saw it out to win 4-1 and leapfrog County in the table as they went up to ninth place in the Scottish Premiership.